Extractor



Oct 1947' J. P. JORGENSON ETAL 2,423,710

EXTRACTOR Filed Oct. 28. 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TTOENEs SQ ooooo 000000 6 00000 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 zvVENroRs 6 BY M %n4% ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 7, 1947. J. P. JORGENSON ETAL EXTRACTOR Filed Oct. 28, 1943 .liliiuilinZ-Ziin Patented Oct. 7, 1947 EXTRACTOR John P. Jorgenson, Wilmette, and Alfred G. Kiing, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Kling Bros. Engineering Works, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 28, 1943, Serial No. 508,039

11 Claims. (Cl. 68-242) This invention relates to improvements in extractors and more particularly to extractors used for removing water or moisture from garments which have been washed or dry-cleaned.

Heretofore it has been common practice in commercial laundries to remove water or moisture from garments, after the washing has been completed, by placing the garments in a perforated drum. These drums are rotated at high speed to cause removal of the moisture by centrifugal force. The high speed of rotation which is necessary in this type of device creates numerous construction problems. It has also been proposed to use expansible members which tend to squeeze the water or moisture from the garments. These devices, however, are subject to objections and do not insure even application of pressure on all of the garments to be dried. Furthermore, there is substantial strain on the expansible members creating numerous difficulties.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide improvements in extractors of the type utilizing a flexible expanding member for squeezing water or moisture from the garments.

A,more specific object of the invention is to provide an extractor having an expansible bag which is positioned axially of a perforated drum containing the garments, together with means for introducing pressure within the bag to cause pressure to be exerted on the clothes radially outwardly in all directions.

A further, more specific object of the invention-is to provide an extractor of the type described, including a center column within the bag, the bag and preferably also the column being so shaped, before expansion of the bag, as to insure a relatively equal application of pressure throughout the height of the bag.

A further object of the invention is to provide an extractor including an expansible bag wherein the bag is so constructed and supported as to minimize strains upon the end portions of the bag. With this arrangement the seals at the upper and lower ends of the bag are not subjected to unusual strains.

A further object of the invention is to provide an extractor, which, because it has no rotating drum, can be readily moved to any location convenient for use. The usual rotating extractor, because of the excessive vibration, must be anchored in a fixed position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an extractor which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture; which is speedy in operation; and which is otherwise well adapted for the purpose described.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of the improved extractor and all its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through the extractor;

Fig. 2 is a top view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the bag in expanded condition;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a. fragmentary sectional view approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 8 designates an outer cylindrical receptacle having a bottom 9 and having an open top. Projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the container may be an annular flange Ill supporting a ring ll. This'will serve to center the inner garment receiving container l2. If desired, the ring ll may be formed of rubber or similar material to form a seal against escape of water from the top of the outer container.

The bottom 9 of the outer container may be formed in any manner to receive liquid and permit the draining thereof. For example, there may be grooves or channels l3 which are slightly pitched in the direction of a drain outlet It so as to conduct used liquid into the outlet. The drain channels l3 may be separated by raised segments l5 which support the bottom of the inner garment receiving container l2.

The inner garment receiving container I2 has its peripheral wall perforated throughout as at iii. The bottom of the inner container I! may be perforated if desired, but it is preferred to have the bottom unperforated as illustrated. The bottom is formed with a central threaded opening ll for receiving the threaded lower end of an upright rod l8. The lower portion of this rod is tubular, as illustrated, to provide an air conduit I9. The rod l8 extends axially through a center column member 20. Said column preferably has upper and lower outwardly flanged heads 2| and 22 which render the co umn generally spool shaped. This spool shape for the column renders the improved construction more eflicient. Satisfactory results, however, can be obtained by using a cylindrical column.

The center column 20 is enclosed by an expansi'ble extractor bag 23. This bag, when in the taken aaela'no.

deflated condition of Fig. l, is shaped similarly to the column 20, but may be slightly larger. The bag in deflated condition has an upper outwardly flanged head portion 23 and a lower outwardly flanged head portion 25, This gives to the bag the same spool shape which it is preferred to use for the center column 20. The bottom 26 of the bag is formed with a center opening through which the lower end of the pipe i8 extends. In assembly the bottom portion 26 of the bag is tightly squeezed between a raised boss 21 on the bottom of the container 12 and the lower surface of the head portion 22 of the center column 20. This provides a bottom seal which prevents the escape of air from the bag. The bag may be formed of rubber or other suitable expansible material.

Threaded on the upper portion of the rod 18 is a nut 28 which serves to Dress the upper end 29 of the bag against the upper surface of the head portion 2! of the center column 20. The upper end of the rod l8 extends upwardly through a hole in the end portion 29 of the bag and projects above the nut 28. This upper portion of the rod is threaded as at 30.

The drawing discloses one method of supporting a cover wherein the top opening 3| of the inner container i2 is formed with a flat rim portion 32 and the upper surface of the rim may support a sealing ring 33. A cover member 34, for the inner container, may be constructed in any manner to provide a seal for, the top of the container when the extractor is in use. This cover should, however, be readily removable to provide access to the interior of the container [2.

The cover may be formed with an elongated central opening 35 through which the upper end of the rod l8 projects. The upper end of this rod may have a nut 36 threaded thereon and adapted to press the center of the cover tightly against the upper surface of thenut 28 as illustrated in Fig. 1. The cover 34 may have its peripheral edge received below lips 31 so that the peripheral portion of the cover is maintained in engagement with the sealing ring 33. When the nut 36 is loosened and when the wings thereof are in a position at right angles to the position of Figs. 1 and 2, then the cover may be rotated from the position of Fig. 2 to bring the recesses. 38 below the lips 31. The cover may then be lifted upwardly and removed.

A pipeline 39, which extends from a source of compressed air or from a source of other fluid under pressure, connects with the bottom of the center rod It! as at 40. When the valve II is opened, fluid under pressure, preferably in the form of compressed air or hydraulic fluid, is admitted to the vertical conduit IQ of the rod 18 and then is conducted through a conduit 42 into the space =43 (Fig. 1) between the exterior of the center column 20 and the bag 23.

In the use of the device the wet garments are placed within the container [2 in position surrounding the expansible bag 23. The bag is, of course, in the deflated condition of Fig. 1. The cover 34 is then secured in position and the valve 4| is opened to cause the delivery of compressed air into the interior of the bag 23. Due to the novel shape of the center column and to the novel deflated shape of the bag, the bag expands to a substantially cylindrical form, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Thus substantially equal pressure is exerted outwardly in all directions and throughout the height of the container l2. This causes squeezing of the garments 44 (Fig, 3) against the perforations IS in the periphery of the container l2. The water from the garments flows out of the perforations i6 downwardlyinto the drain channels l3 and out.of the-drainpipe Hi.

If the bag 23, in deflated condition, did not have normally enlarged upper and lower portions 23 and 25, there would baa tendency upon inflation for the bag to expand to a greater extent in its center portion than at its upper and lower ends. This would result in more water being squeezed fro-m some of the garments than from the garments in the upper and lower portions of the container. Furthermore, without the novel shape of the bag 23 there would :be severe strains during inflation upon the seal at the upper and lower ends of the bag.

The present idea of squeezing the garments radially outwardly against the perforated peripheral wall is very advantageous and renders the operation highly efflcient. Furthermore, the arrangement is such that pressures are exerted relatively evenly on all portions of the wet garments.

One of the featutres Of the present invention is that it is readily portable from one part of the building to another. For convenience it is preferred to support the outer container 8 on casters 45. When the extractor is moved from one location to another, the conduit leading from the source of compressed air or hydraulic fluid may be temporarily disconnected from the pipe 39. The usual rotating extractor, on the other hand, must be permanently anchored in position because of the excessive vibration.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What we claim is:

1. An extractor comprising a cylindrical garment receiving receptacle having a perforated peripheral wall, a spool shaped center column {member supported axially within said receptacle, an expansible bag which is spool shaped when in deflated condition surrounding said center column member, there being a garment ac- .commodating space within the receptacle and surrounding said bag, and means for conducting umn having a fluid duct in communication with the interior of the bag, means connected to said projecting supporting means for conducting fluid under pressure to said duct, and means for creating a, seal around the portion of th'e bag through which said projecting supporting means extends.

3. An extractor comprising a cylindrical garment receiving receptacle having a perforated peripheral wall, a center column member positioned axially within said receptacle, an expansible bag surrounding said center column member, there being a garment accommodating space within the receptacle and surrounding said bag,

I supporting means projecting axially from the duct in communication with the interior of the bag, means for creating a seal around the portion or the bag through which said lower end supporting means projects, and means for conducting fluid under pressure to the interior of said bag.

4. An extractor comprising a cylindrical garment receiving receptacle having a perforated peripheral wall, a center column member positioned axially within said receptacle, an expansible bag surrounding said center column member, there being a garment accommodating space within the receptacle and surrounding said bag, supporting means projecting axially from the upper and lower ends of said center column member through the ends of said expansible bag, means on.said projecting supporting means at the upper end 01' the column and engaging the exterior of the bag to create a seal around the portion of the bag through which said supporting means extends, said supporting means at the lower end of the'center column member being connected to the receptacle, said lower end supporting means projection having a fluid duct therein, means tor conducting fluid from said duct to the interior of the bag, means connected to said lower end projecting supporting means for conducting fluid under pressure to the duct therein, and means for creating a seal around the portion of the bag through which said lower end supporting means projects.

5. An extractor comprising a garment receiving receptacle having liquid outlet means and having a surrounding wall, a center column member supported axially within said receptacle, an expansible bag which is spool shaped when in deflated condition surrounding said center column member, there being a garment accommodating space within the receptacle and surrounding said bag, and means for conducting a fluid under pressure to the interior of said bag.

6. An extractor comprising a. garment receiving receptacle having liquid outlet means and having a surrounding wall, a center column member positioned axially within said receptacle, an expansible bag, which is spool shaped when in deflated condition, surrounding said center co1-' umn member, there being a garment accommodating space within the receptacle and surrounding said bag supporting means projecting axially from at least one end of said center column member through said expansible bag and connected to the receptacle, said supporting means and column having a fluid duct in communication with the interior of the bag, means connected to said projecting supporting means for conducting fluid under pressure to said duct, and means for creating a seal around the portion of the bag through which said projecting supporting means extends.

'7. An extractor comprising a garment receiving receptacle having liquid outlet means and having a surrounding wall, a center column member positioned axially within said receptacle, an expansible bag surrounding said center column member, there being a garment accommodating space within the receptacle and surrounding said bag, supporting means projecting axially from the upper and lower ends =01 said center column member through the ends 01 said expansible bag, a nut threaded on said projecting supporting means at the upper end of the column and engaging the exterior of the bag to create a seal around 'the portion of the bag through which said supporting means extends, said supporting means at the lower end of the center column member being connected to the receptacle, said supporting means and center column member having a fluid duct in communication with the interior of the bag, means for creating a seal around the portion 0! the bag through which said lower end supporting means projects, and means for conducting fluid under pressure to the interior of said bag.

8. An extractor comprising a garment receiving receptacle having liquid outlet means and having a surrounding wall, a center column member positioned axially within said receptacle, an expansible bag surrounding said center column member, there being a garment accommodating space within the receptacle and surrounding said bag, supporting means projecting axially from the upper and lower ends of said center column member through the ends or said expansible bag, means on said projecting supporting means, at the upper end of the column and engaging the exterior of the bag to create a seal around the portion of the bag through which said supporting means extends, said supporting means at the lower end of the center column member being connected to the receptacle, said lower end supporting means projection having a fluid duct therein, means for conducting fluid from said duct to the interior or the bag, means connected to said lower end projecting supporting means for conducting fluid under pressure to the duct therein, and means for creating a seal around the portion of the bag through which said lower end supporting means projects.

9. .An extractor comprising a garment receiving receptacle having liquid outlet means and having a surrounding wall, a center column member positioned axially within said receptacle,

'an expansible bag surrounding said center column member, there being a garment accommodating space within the receptacle and surrounding said bag, supporting means projecting axially from an end of said center column member through said expansible bag and connected to the receptacle, said supporting means and column having a fluid duct in communication with the interior of the bag, means connected to said projecting supporting means for conducting fluid under pressure to said duct, and means for creating a seal around the portion of the bag through which said projecting supporting means extends, said bag when deflated having an end portion surrounding said seal which is of larger diameter than the central portion of the bag so as to relieve the seal from strains when the ba is expanded.

10. An extractor comprising a garment receiving receptacle having liquid outlet means and having a surrounding wall, a center column member positioned axially within said receptacle,

' an expansible bag which is preformed to provide a spool-like flange at at least one of its ends when in deflated condition surrounding said center column member, there being a garment accommodating space surrounding said bag, and means extending into said flanged end portion of the bag for conducting a fluid under pressure to the interior oi the bag.

11. An extractor comprising a garment receiving receptacle having liquid outlet means and having a surrounding wall, said receptacle also having a supporting wall at one end and having a. garment receiving opening at the opposite end, a center column member positioned axially with in said receptacle, an expansible bag surrounding said center columnmember, there being a garment accommodating space within the receptacle and between said bag and the surrounding wall of the receptacle, said center column member being supported at one end on said supporting wall of the receptacle, means for introducing fluid under pressure into said bag from the end of the receptacle having the supporting wall, and means for creating a seal around the portion of the bag through which said fluid introducing within the receptacle and means extends. said bag being preshaped to.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 718,358 Kneuper Jan, 13, 1903 1,372,190 Randall et a]. Mar. 22, 1921 2,178,385 Alward Oct. 31, 1939 11,455 Grant Aug. 1, 1854 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 496,498 Great Britain -Nov. 28, 1938 

